Kwinana rallies to terminally ill boy

Kwinana has rallied to support terminally ill toddler Riley McKechnie.

Fundraisers are getting ready to embark on a bike ride to raise funds for the little boy’s family.

Noella Bloomfield, a Run for Riley co-organiser said members of Karratha Bikers Lower 26th Chapter, the Southern Riders Social Club, the Fat Boyz Drinking Club and the community decided to swing into action and put together a charity ride after hearing the devastating news three weeks ago.

“We have raised about $3000 so far — people have been so generous,” she said.

“We want to do whatever we can for Riley’s family at this gutwrenching time.”

Ms Bloomfield said more than 100 bikers and motorists would take part in the charity ride, which kicks off at Ye Old Narrogin Inn on Saturday April 27 at 9am.

It will stop at various pubs along the way to collect donations and hand out raffle prizes, and finish up at Marri Park in Casuarina.

“We want to raise as much money as we can to give Riley a happy last day with his family, hand over a cheque to the funeral home and pay the family’s bills,” she said.

Three-year-old Riley was diagnosed with cancer of the brain and bones last April.

Despite several surgical procedures and gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, doctors delivered the news last month that the “beautiful little man” would not recover.

Ms Bloomfield said partner Peter “Wookie” Lethborg, a member of the Karratha bikers for almost 20 years, contacted President Pat “Tig” Heathcoate who made the call “straight away” to try to help Riley and his family.

“Straight away, Tig said ‘this is what we do — we’ll get behind it,’” she said.

“Riders will pay $15 each to take part in the run and we’ll be taking cash donations at Mundaring Hotel, Helena Valley Tavern and Noble Falls Tavern in between.”

For more information, search for “A Run for Riley” on Facebook.